The Los Angeles Rams feigned a newfound commitment to special teams this offseason. Through three games the curtain has been pulled back on a unit that is structurally still the same.
Kicker Harrison Mevis is reliable, although he lacks range and all kickers miss field goals. He’s a low-aimed shot and underscores the complacency across the third phase.
Punter Ethan Evans has held his job for four years without ever really being challenged. He hasn’t earned this right. It was effectively handed to him
even when his production screams worthy of an upgrade. Evans has a big leg sure, but that does little to help the team if he cannot consistently take advantage.
LA tried to distract us with special teams additions during free agency. They told us last year that their field goal unit struggles were really the long snapper’s fault. Maybe that is true. At least they did their best to fix it by bringing in veteran Joe Cardona.
The Rams also signed Grant Stuard to be a special teams ace. He’s just one guy on a unit of either 10 coverage players or protectors. How much can that realistically move the needle? Very little it turns out.
The most confusing decision of all was the election to stay put with their return man Xavier Smith. The Rams asked for a do-over this week when they waived Smith and named Alex Bachman as his new replacement. If only someone saw this issue coming.
It was all a magic trick. A sleight of hand. The Rams grabbed our attention over here while their special teams infrastructure was still crumbling from within. A new coat of paint does not fix the structural issues. They are still there.
LA’s special teams will continue to struggle until they make an overhaul a true priority. Free agent signings alone aren’t enough. Most teams reserve the later rounds of the draft for players who are not equipped to contribute on offense or defense right away and instead focus on roles in the third phase. The Rams have not taken that approach for the better part of the last decade. It shows.
We cannot continue to fall for the misdirection. There were no real signs that special teams were going to improve this season, outside of a couple superficial changes. The problem is the approach.
It’s something the team will need to revisit next offseason. They botched the most recent opportunity.
